How to travel to Tibet from Beijing, Beijing Tibet Tour

1. How to plan your trip in Beijing (top things to do you have in Beijing)?

It depends on you to decide the length of visit in Beijing. But you must have at least two and a half days – one day for arrival, another day for a brief day tour, and a half day for taking flight to Lhasa. Four days’ trip is best because you can cover most highlights in Beijing, and travel at a leisure pace. Following are the classic features of Beijing and the days needed to visit.

World Culture Heritage Sites exploration

Day 1: In Beijing City, you can’t miss Forbidden City – the most magnificent Imperial Palace in the world. Before that, you will pass through Tiananmen Square which is a symbol of national cohesion and prosperity of China. In the afternoon, go to Temple of Heaven to explore the traditional royal sacrificial culture of ancient China. It is recommended to have a wonderful Peking Duck dinner.

Day 2: After breakfast, drive to Mutianyu Great wall which is regarded as the Essence of Great Wall in Ming Dynasty. Next, visit Summer Palace - the best royal garden to have a relaxing time.

1 Day - Folk culture experience

- You can spend one day traveling Hutong to explore the vitality and pulse of Beijing. It is also available to visit a local family and enjoy a dumpling lunch there.

1 Day – Hiking experience

If you are into hiking, you can spend 1 day hiking in Mutianyu Great Wall or 2 days hiking in Jinshanling and Simatai Wild Great Wall.

2. How to go to Tibet from Beijing?

Train travel to Tibet – There is only one schedule each day. Z21 departs from Beijing West Railway Station at 20:10, and arrive at Lhasa Railway Station at 13:27 of third day. The whole train journey is about 3753km taking 40 hours and 53 minutes. Check more about Beijing Lhasa Train>

Flights to Tibet – There are usually 6 flight schedules each day from Beijing to Lhasa all of which depart from Beijing before 15:00 o’clock. Non-stop flights take about 4 hours and 30 minutes, while stopover-flights take about 6 hours and 40 minutes. Check more about Beijing Lhasa Flights>

We suggest you take morning flight to Tibet so that you have to time to acclimatize the high altitude and weather in Lhasa.

3. How to organize an itinerary in Tibet?

While planning a Tibet tour, you are suggested to reserve two days for arrival and departure because both flights and trains to/off Tibet take longer time and the schedules are not frequently as in other big cities. Except for the arrival and departure days, you can spend 2 ~ 14 days touring Tibet usually. The following are popular routes or tourist regions and recommended length of trip:

Lhasa city tour – two days

A Lhasa city highlights tour takes about 2 days, and you can visit the landmarks in Lhasa.

- Day 1: Firstly, visit the No.1 sight in Lhasa - Potala Palace. Then, turn to the Jokhang Temple – the spiritual center of Lhasa to feel the strong Buddhist atmosphere. After that, take a stroll in interesting Barkhor Street.

- Day 2: After breakfast, take a visit to Norbulingka Palace where you can see most vibrant plants in Lhasa after breakfast. Then visit two famous monasteries – Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery. In Sera Monastery, you can see the wonderful Buddhist scripture debating.

>> 4 Days Holy City Tour

Namtso Lake – one or two days

Namtso Lake is a giant sapphire on the pure land of Tibet. Many shutter bugs are attracted here by its breathtaking beauty. You can spend one or days traveling to this holy lake.

- One day trip: After the sightseeing, you need to drive back to Lhasa.

- Two days: You can stay more time in Namtso and enjoy an amazing sunset here.

>> 6 Days Holy Lake Namtso In-depth Private Tour

Yamdrok Lake – one day

Discover the superb scenery of one of the sacred lakes – Yamdrok Lake.

>> 5 Days Lhasa and Yamdrok Holy Lake Tour

Gyantse and Shigatse – two or three days

Day 1, drive from Lhasa to Shigatse via beautiful Yamdrok Lake, brilliant Karola Glacier and featured Palcho Monastery. Day 2, drive from Shigatse back to Lhasa with visits to Tashilunpo and Nimu Tunba on route. If you have more time, you can also stay one night in Gyantse.

>> 6 Days Lhasa Gyantse Shigatse Historical Tour

Mount Everest – four days

You need at least 4 other days vising Mount Everest after your Lhasa highlights tour. On day 1, drive to Shigatse from Lhasa and visit Yamdrok Lake, Brilliant Karola Glacier and Palcho Monastery on Route. On Day 2, drive from Shigatse to Rongbuk Monastery where you can get a perfect view of Mount Everest. On the Day 3, drive from Rongbuk Monastery to Shigatse. On the day 4, visit Tashilhunpo Monastery first and then drive back to Lhasa.

>> 8 Days Everest Base Camp Tour

Nyingchi region – three or four days

Nyingchi is famous for its “Switzerland Views”. You are suggested to spend 3 ~ 4 days traveling from Lhasa to Nyingchi. On day 1, drive from Lhasa to Nyingchi. On day 2, visit King Cypress, green Lulang Forest. On day 3, visit the jade lake – Basumtso and Kading Valley. Day 4 is for leaving Nyingchi.

>> 7 Days Tibet "Switzerland Views" Tour

Shannan region – two days

If you want to explore the cradle of Tibet civilization, don’t miss Shannan. It takes 2 days to visit the highlights of Shannan. On day 1, drive to Tsetang from Lhasa and visit the first palace in Tibet – Yumblakang. On day 2, visit the first Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Tibet – Samye Monastery and then drive back to Lhasa.

>> 6 Days Tibetan Buddhism Tour (Lhasa & Tsedang)

Mount Kailash region – ten or more days

Ngari is a dreamland for many travelers. Most of them visit Ngari for Holy Mountain Mount Kailash. Usually it needs at least 10 days traveling to Ngari from Lhasa.

Day 1: You will travel from Lhasa to Shigatse and visit the tranquil Yamdrok Lake, imposing Karola Glacier and unique Palcho Monastery on route.

Day 2 ~ 3: In the following two days, you are going to drive to Darchen, the nearest town to Mount Kailash. The holy lake Manasarovar Lake will be visited on route.

Day 4 ~ 6: You will trek around 50 kilometers to complete the Mount Kailash Kora.

Day 7 ~ 10: Drive back to Lhasa and depart from Lhasa.

>> 13 Days Mt. Kailash & Lake Manasarovar Trekking Private Tour